The Strip | Las Vegas

The Block Island Historical Society Museum is located in New Shoreham, Rhode Island. It preserves and exhibits artifacts related to the island's history.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a 19th-century Victorian building constructed of wood. The exterior is painted white with dark green trim. It features a prominent gabled roof and a wrap-around porch. The building is two stories high.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 161 Main Street in New Shoreham. It is approximately 0.2km from the ferry terminal. Parking is available on-site for a limited number of vehicles. The New Shoreham bus service stops within 0.1km of the museum.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building was originally constructed in 1870 as a private residence for the Ball family. It was later acquired by the Block Island Historical Society in 1942 and converted into a museum to document the island's maritime, agricultural, and social history.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exhibits include displays on Block Island's maritime heritage, including shipwrecks and lighthouses. Artifacts from the island's early settlers and agricultural past are also on display. Visitors can view collections of antique tools, furniture, and personal items. The museum offers guided tours on select days.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on the first floor. Limited seating is provided within the exhibition areas. Cell phone signal (4G) is generally available. No food vendors are located directly at the museum; options are available in the nearby town center.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open seasonally, typically from late May through Columbus Day. The best time of day for interior photography is during daylight hours when artificial lighting is supplemented by natural light. The months of July and August offer the most stable weather conditions.

Facts & Legends

A notable artifact within the museum is a fragment of the SS Larchmont, a steamship that sank off the coast of Block Island in 1907. The wreck resulted in significant loss of life and remains a significant event in the island's maritime history.

Nearby Landmarks

• Old Harbor (0.2km South)
• Southeast Lighthouse (3.5km Southeast)
• Mohegan Bluffs (3.8km Southeast)
• Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (2.1km West)
• Ballard's Beach (0.3km South)